FIFA has accused UEFA of running a "misinformation campaign" and attempting to influence the upcoming presidential election. The accusation comes as UEFA seeks documents and evidence from FIFA in a US court. UEFA's request is linked to a planned criminal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Switzerland. The complaint relates to the now-suspended FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
The FFE project aimed to transfer some World Cup commercial rights to a new company. However, it faced opposition from various football associations, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, and was eventually halted in July. FIFA responded to UEFA's court bid on Monday, alleging that UEFA's documents contain "many false or misleading statements" about FIFA and Infantino.
FIFA denied claims that Infantino intended to benefit personally from the FFE project, stating that the plan required approval from FIFA members and the FIFA Council. The dispute also centers on the valuation of FFE, with UEFA claiming that investors were willing to pay $4.2 billion for a stake, valuing the company at around $20 billion. UEFA argued that this valuation significantly underestimates FIFA's commercial rights.
However, FIFA countered that UEFA has confused "equity value" and "enterprise value." According to FIFA, the equity value of FFE was $20 billion, while the total business value exceeded $30 billion. The differing valuations highlight the contentious nature of the FFE project.
FIFA also suggested that UEFA's legal actions may be linked to the upcoming FIFA presidential election in March 2027, in which Infantino is seeking re-election. Last week, Infantino wrote to all 211 FIFA member associations, proposing an independent review of the institution's decision-making processes and governance.
FIFA argued that UEFA's court bid, timed close to the presidential election, constitutes an attempt to influence the outcome. UEFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations. The developments add to tensions between FIFA and UEFA, which have had a complex relationship in recent years.
The issue raises questions about the governance and transparency of FIFA, as well as the relationships between football's governing bodies. The presidential election will be closely watched, given the ongoing debates about FIFA's direction and leadership. Infantino's proposal for an independent review may be seen as an attempt to address concerns about FIFA's governance.
Key points
- FIFA accuses UEFA of misinformation campaign against Infantino
- Dispute centers on valuation of FIFA Forward Enterprise project
- UEFA's actions may be linked to FIFA presidential election
